Parsons Brinckerhoff secures dual rail systems design contracts in UK

Parsons Brinckerhoff was awarded two contracts covering design of railway systems, one of which is for the United Kingdom's second high-speed rail line, which will run between London Euston and Birmingham in the West Midlands.

The contracts, worth £8 million (US$12.8 million), have been awarded by HS2 Ltd under its Professional Services Framework. Parsons Brinckerhoff will work closely with HS2 Ltd to provide a "whole system" approach to optimize the overall rail systems design and provide the appropriate balance with functionality, safety, sustainability, cost and value. It will also take a lead role across all designers for system-wide and operational and maintenance issues and will support other designers on civil engineering, construction and environmental issues in specific geographical areas.

The overall objective of both contracts will be to support HS2 Ltd in its principal aim of depositing the documents for the hybrid bill as it starts its process through Parliament, by the end of 2013.

"We are delighted to have secured these two key contracts on the development of the UK's second high-speed rail network," said Darren Reed, UK director of rail at Parsons Brinckerhoff. "HS2 provides a unique rail engineering challenge in terms of performance, environmental measures and stakeholder liaison and we are delighted to bring our international experience in major rail schemes and rail engineering to this iconic project."

Parsons Brinckerhoff will work with partners DB International GmbH, providing operational and rolling stock expertise and EC Harris LLP, providing cost planning expertise. The multidisciplinary team will operate from offices across the south east, including London, where it will collocate with the HS2 client team.